STATEMENT
From the Office of State Senator Rodney Ellis

For Immediate Release
November 10, 1999
Contact: Jeremy Warren, (512) 463-0113

AUSTIN -- Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) responded today to news that Texas consumers saved an estimated $32.6 million in sales taxes during a three day sales tax holiday last August 7-9, 1999. The sales tax holiday was included in Senate Bill 441, the $506 million omnibus tax relief bill Ellis sponsored.

"I was very pleased that Texas families benefitted as much as they did from the sales tax holiday legislation I sponsored last spring. They saved an estimated $32.6 million that they could use to buy food, medicines and other necessities.

"Last session, we had a $6 billion surplus and lots of momentum to give homeowners a property tax relief bill. I am proud the Legislature also put some money back into the pockets of the 40 percent of Texans who do not own their own home.

"I hope in future sessions that we will add school supplies and other necessities to the sales tax holiday so that kids can look forward to going back to school."